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NCBI BioProject is the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s registry of research projects: one record that gathers the links to the sequence reads, samples, assemblies and publications that belong to a single initiative. If a data-availability statement cites an accession beginning PRJNA, this is the database it points to. This guide covers what a BioProject record is, how to find one by funder, grant or organism with the Advanced search builder, and what the release and update rules mean for data-management planning.
What NCBI BioProject is
NCBI describes a BioProject as a collection of biological data related to a single initiative, and the database as one place to find links to the varied data a project produced. Its accessions are written PRJNAxxxxxx. The FAQ calls BioProject a submitter-driven repository: the people who register a project are responsible for the content and its accuracy, which is why the record reads as the submitters’ own description rather than an NCBI-curated summary.
For the three-record structure behind an NCBI sequence submission (project, sample, reads), see our guide to submitting sequence data to NCBI SRA; this page stays on the BioProject database itself.
Who runs it and what it covers
BioProject is a database of the National Center for Biotechnology Information, which is part of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Registration is required as part of data deposit to several NCBI primary data archives, and the FAQ names SRA, TSA and WGS. The same BioProject accession is referenced when BioSamples and experimental data are submitted, and related data, such as SRA reads and a GenBank or WGS assembly, should use that one accession. The home page also groups large initiatives (1000 Genomes, ENCODE, HMP) and links out to other NCBI resources (BioSample, dbGaP, Genome) and to external lists such as DOE genome projects and GOLD.
How to search BioProject
These steps use the interface terms on the BioProject home page and its Advanced page.
- Open the BioProject home page at ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bioproject/ and type into the Search term box, then select Search. The database selector defaults to All Databases; change it if you want BioProject results only.
- For a precise query, select the Advanced link to open the Advanced Search Builder.
- In each row, choose a Select Operation (AND, OR or NOT), a Select Field and a Field Value. Use Add new line and Remove line to change the number of rows.
- Select Show index list to page through the values stored for a field (Previous 200, Next 200, Refresh index) instead of guessing spellings.
- Use Add to history to keep a query; the History panel lists Recent queries so you can combine them.
- To download the whole set rather than browse it, use the Download (FTP) link under Browse, which points to ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bioproject/.
Fields that matter for research administration
The field list in the builder includes Funding Agency, Grant ID, Submitter Organization, PMID, Project Data Type, Registration Date, Organism, Keyword and Title, alongside accession fields (Project Accession, Assembly Accession, WGS Accession). That makes it possible to ask questions such as which registered projects name a given funder, or which projects an institution has registered, by combining Funding Agency or Submitter Organization with a date range on Registration Date. These are submitter-entered fields, so a project that left them blank will not appear in such a search.
The sign-in for NCBI accounts is in the header at the top of the BioProject pages; the Submission link on the home page leads to the NCBI Submission Portal for registering a new project.
Release timing, updates and withdrawals
The FAQ describes two release options. Release immediately upon curation makes a record public within a few hours of its having a valid organism name. Release on a specified date publishes it on that date, or when linked data is released, whichever comes first. The FAQ says there is currently no mechanism for submitters to view their records before release. To update or withdraw a record, the FAQ directs submitters to email NCBI’s BioProject help address; the Submission Overview page in the portal does not reflect later changes. Plan embargoes and the timing of manuscript submission around these rules, and record the accession in your data availability statement.
Strengths and limits
- One accession ties records together. A single PRJNA identifier can be cited in a paper and reused across reads, samples and assemblies.
- Searchable by funder and grant. The Advanced builder exposes Funding Agency and Grant ID.
- Submitter-driven. Content and accuracy are the submitter’s responsibility, so descriptions vary in completeness.
- No preview, changes by email. Records cannot be viewed before release, and later changes are requested by email rather than edited in the portal.
- A hub of links. The home page describes it as one place to find links to the varied data of a project.
Alternatives and companion databases
| Database | What it holds | Relation to BioProject |
|---|---|---|
| BioSample | Descriptions of the biological source materials behind a dataset | The BioProject accession is referenced when BioSamples are submitted |
| Sequence Read Archive (SRA) | Sequencing reads submitted as experimental data | BioProject registration is required as part of depositing to SRA |
| dbGaP | NIH/NCBI repository for genotype and phenotype studies | Linked from the BioProject home page as an NCBI resource |
FAQ
What does PRJNA mean?
PRJNA is the prefix of a BioProject accession registered with NCBI, written PRJNAxxxxxx in the FAQ. Cite the full accession in the paper’s data-availability statement.
Do I need a BioProject to deposit sequence data?
Often, yes. The FAQ says BioProject registration is required as part of data deposit to several NCBI primary data archives, naming SRA, TSA and WGS.
How quickly is a new record public?
If you choose release upon curation, within a few hours of the record having a valid organism name; otherwise on the date you specify, or when linked data is released, whichever is first.
Can I edit or withdraw a record?
Updates and withdrawals are requested by email to NCBI’s BioProject help address, per the FAQ.
Is there a bulk download?
Yes. The home page links to an FTP directory at ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bioproject/ under Download (FTP).
Sources
Official NCBI pages, last checked 2026-10-29:
